Use of Partitioning to Study Differentiating Cells of Dictyostelium Discoideum

Abstract

Partitioning in a dextran-poly(ethylene glycol), two-phase system in a thin-layer, countercurrent distribution (TLCCD) apparatus separates amoebae of D. discoideum at 10–11 h development into two populations. This method takes at least 10 h to complete. A much quicker method for separating the two populations has now been developed which makes use of two, different phase systems. The two populations separated by the rapid method are similar to those separated by TLCCD in comprising amoebae with different DNA contents. This indicates that the difference in DNA content between amoebae in the two populations separated by TLCCD does not arise during the long time needed to complete the countercurrent distribution.